The chapter is intended to introduce Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), a widely spreading but largely unknown epidemic among professional and ordinary computer users, especially internet users. Dr. Sheedy and Dr. Anshel are two leading researchers in the ergonomics and optometry fields, and CVS has been extensively studied in these fields. The authors have summarized their views about CVS, including five major symptoms of CVS, three key contributing factors of CVS, and basic preventive and treatment strategies. Future researches are needed to continue the advancement of current knowledge regarding computer screens, computer task, and computer environments, and to expand research in diverse computer user populations, especially younger computer users.
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Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), a widely spreading but largely unknown epidemic among professional and ordinary computer users (Blehm, Vishnu, Khattak, Mitra, & Yee, 2005; Mutti & Zadnik, 1996; Sheedy, 2000; Sheedy & Parsons, 1990; Yan, Hu, Chen, & Lu, 2008). It has been extensively studied in the field of visual and computer ergonomics, and more recently in the field of environmental and occupational optometry. However, few behavioral studies (e.g. Dillon & Emurian, 1995) have been conducted to describe, analyze, and pose solutions for CVS, especially in cyber behavior area. So we need to call for more behavioral research programs to help computer users address this visual epidemic.
For researchers in the behavioral science of computer use, it is useful to learn from the current CVS research in ergonomics and optometry in order to help computer users to deal with CVS. The CVS research area includes the field of visual and computer ergonomics, environmental and occupational optometry, behavioral science of computer use etc. Dr Sheedy and Dr Anshel are two leading researchers in the ergonomics and optometry fields.